Ministry of Defence, Govt of India

A Group of Ministers established to examine the management of National Security issues has accorded me the privilege of chairing a Task Force on the Restructuring of Management of Defence, which amongst other things,would examine the following:-

The existing organisation and structures and recommend steps necessary to improve the ‘Management of the Country’s Defence’.
Changes required to the management structure in the emerging security scenario having regard to the nuclearised environment, revolution in military affair, information revolution, and other similar developments.
Methods to bring about improvements in the procurement process and to ensure a more cost-effective management of Defence.

I am aware that there are a large number of serving and retired civil and military officers who have an opinion on how the Defence of the nation should be managed. I am also aware that many citizens would also like to express their opinion on this very important element of National Security. May I, therefore, urge you to come forward with your ideas, and, more importantly, recommendations on how the Country should manage its Defence. We hope to recommend structures to the Group of Ministers that would assist the Government in maintaing an efficient, well trained, highly motivated Armed Forces in the Ministry of Defence optimally suited to fulfilling their roles and tasks.

In view of the fact that we are looking forward to a very wide participation, and the time available to complete our task is short, I request you to express your view in a structured manner covering recommendations and processes of implementation. I also like to assure that your views will be "non-attributable" and you should therefore be forthright and honest thus assisting the Task Force in this vital task.

Arun Singh
Chairman

The Kargil War of 1999 was a saga of national resolve and valour of our Armed Forces. Four hundred and seventy-four officers and men of the Armed Forces laid down their lives to protect the integrity of the country. Many innocent civilians also lost their lives and had their property and livelihood disrupted. The entire nation united in this hour of trial and grief and the national media which brought this war into your houses displayed unprecedented professionalism and sensitivity.

This Fourth War of Kashmir was an extraordinary war, fought at forbidding heights in what will go down as the most inhospitable and unlikeliest battleground in the history of warfare. The blood of the ‘best and bravest’ of India has consecrated, the ‘200 kilometre Trans- Himalayan Front’ and this sacrifice will remain, indelibly in the memory of the nation. There are numerous lessons that the Government, Armed Forces, Intelligence Agencies, Media and the Nation as a whole have to learn from this war.

The Kargil Review Committee (KRC) set up by the Government to examine the sequence of events and make recommendations for the future, has in its findings, highlighted many facets of National Security which should stimulate introspection and reflection at all levels. In its report, the KRC has made some far reaching recommendations that need to be widely discussed and acted upon so that those who scarificed their lives would not have died in vain. The nations best tribute to their supreme dedication will be to ensure that “Kargils” of any description are never repeated. The nation now needs to proceed to refashion its Security-Intelligence-Development shield to meet the challenges of the 21^stCentury.

A Group of Ministers (GOM) was constituted by the Prime Minister on 17^th April, 2000 to review the national security system in its entirety and in particular to consider the recommendations of the KRC and formulate specific proposals for implementation. Noting that the scope of its remit was very wide, the GOM decided that it was necessary at the outset to determine the issues which required greater deliberation directly by it, either with or without the help of expert groups, and those which could straightway be referred to concerned Ministries for processing/implementation. The GOM have taken a view in this regard, and several recommendations have already been referred to the concerned Ministries for further necessary action.

As regards the issues and recommendations requiring greater deliberation, the GOM have decided that many of these should initially be addressed by four Task Forces, one each in the areas of Intelligence Apparatus, Internal Security, Border Management and Management of Defence. The Task Forces will consider not only the recommendations of the KRC falling within their respective competencies, but also other aspects impinging upon national security which were not touched upon by the KRC.

The Task Force on Management of Defence is required to examine the existing organisations and structures and recommend such steps as are considered necessary for improving the management of the country's defence. In so doing, the Task Force is also required to examine the changes required in the management structure in the emerging security scenario having regard to the nuclearised environment, revolution in military affairs, information revolution and other similar developments. Furthermore, the Task Force would also be required to make recommendations to bring about improvements in the procurement processes and ensure a more cost-effective management of defence.

In order to let the Task Force have the benefit of views from a large cross section, this Home Page has been opened. Your views would be highly valued and appreciated. You may even be invited to discuss your suggestions with the Task Force Members.Your suggestions should keep background and historical perspectives to the absolute minimum and lay maximum emphasis on recommendations on issues of the emerging security scenario, personnel management policies, equipment procurement procedures, interfacing between research–production-user, and interaction with specialists and think-tanks to improve our defence capability through better efficiency and cost effectiveness.The response could also cover your ideas about changes to the existing management structure, integration of Services and MoD and could also suggest a process of implementation.

Comments should be e-mailed or sent by post at the following address:-

Task Force on Management of Defence
c/o DGDPS, Room No. 255-C, South Block
New Delhi -110011
Telefax: 3010950
Tele : 3793279